Yes flying to another, perhaps less well known airport within travelling distance of your intended destination, is often a great way around it.
In past years Ryanair in particular, used to fly to a number of small airports in south west France, not sure of the situation now, although a lot of...
Gus was briefly manager of AEK too . . . he doesn't seem to stay anywhere very long, l wonder why? lol.
Currently the boss of the Greek national side of course.